The Institute of Architects, Pakistan has been organizing various national and international events in the last many years and the 2013 Aga Khan Award for Architecture is a series of many such exhibitions organized by the Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad Chapters respectively. The Aga Khan Award for architecture is one of the most prestigious international architectural awards in the world and is organized every three years and projects that are completed six years prior to the awards time are eligible for judging.

The Rawalpindi- Islamabad Chapter of IAP organized the third exhibition titled “Architecture is Life” presenting twenty projects that were selected during the year 2011-2013.

After the exhibitions success in Karachi and Lahore it was opened for public viewing in Islamabad on June 11 & 12′ 2015 at the National Art Gallery.H.E Mr. Istvan Szabo the Hungarian Ambassador to Pakistan inaugurated the show. President IAP, Ar. Jahangir Khan Sherpao briefed the Chief Guest and walked him through the works on display.

A small ceremony was arranged by the IAP Team to conclude the opening ceremony. Ar.Fawad Suhail Abbasi , Chairman ARCASIA Committee on Young Architects (ACYA)opened the evening and expressed his views and the efforts made by IAP in the promotion of architecture both in Pakistan and internationally. He spoke on the background of this travel exhibition and briefed the audience of the history of the Aga Khan Awards for Architecture.

President IAP thanked the team of the Rawalpindi- Islamabad Chapter of IAP especially, Hon. Secretary IAP-RIC Ar. Ejaz Qadri, Ar. Furqan Habib and Ar. Salman Malik for coming forward to curate and organize the event on such short notice. He talked about the importance of events like these and for working whole heartedly as a group to give back to the society. He also talked about the contributions of the Aga Khan Awards that have showcased and documented works of architects from across the globe which in itself is a service to humanity.

Mr. Salman Baig from the Aga Khan Development Network also spoke on the occasion and thanked IAP for their efforts for the profession and bringing the exhibition to Islamabad after Karachi & Lahore. He was thrilled to have been invited to the exhibition.

H. E. Mr. Istvan Szabo was appreciative of President IAP & his team for putting together the exhibition. He said that architecture has always inspired him and he has had a personal interest in the architecture of various regions, the context, materials and how spaces are thought differently by architects around the world. He was really happy to be able to see how his Highness The Aga Khan has contributed, documented and showcased socially responsive architecture from around the world. He applauded the efforts of IAP for constantly organizing events around the Country.

The evening was attended by architects, people from the diplomatic core, building industry and students. The exhibition continued till 12 June 2015.